May 7, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Led by freshman Ashlee Rose, the University of Kentucky women’s golf team concluded the first round of the NCAA Regional with a 308 – good for an 11th-place tie – at the Scarlet Golf Course, on May 7.

“Ashlee led the team today with a solid 74 on a long, difficult set up and tough pin placements,” UK head coach Myra Blackwelder said. “The team played a very solid back nine to finish very strong after a difficult start. They practiced for an hour and 15 minutes after the round and will have a short turn around overnight. We will tee off the back nine tomorrow morning and hope to continue our momentum.”

Rose’s two-over-par 74 secured a 13th-place tie. The Lexington, Ky., native salvaged her score with four birdies.

Senior Mallory Blackwelder concluded the first round in a tie for 30th place. Blackwelder, a veteran of the course, carded a four-over-par 76.

Freshman Alyssa Randolph and junior Kristin Vincent tied for 69th place with 79 (+7). Sara Hurwitch rounded out the day with an 81 (+9) – good for an 85th-place tie.

No. 44 Kentucky shares 11th place with in state rival No. 15 Louisville and No. 40 Washington. The Wildcats outplayed three higher seeded teams: No. 26 Stanford, No. 35 North Carolina State and No. 32 Notre Dame. No. 1 seeded UCLA claimed the first round with a four-under-par 284, and regional host Ohio State concluded the day in 10th place with 306 (+18).

Tee times will begin at 8 a.m. ET Friday. Live scoring is available on www.golfstat.com.

Wildcat Scores
T13-Ashlee Rose (74 +2) 

T30-Mallory Blackwelder (76 +4) 

T69-Alyssa Randolph (79 +7)
T69-Kristin Vincent (79 +7)
T85-Sara Hurwitch (81 +9)